Trail Use - Blazer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vtblazer · 02-16-2005, 03:40 PM

I'm building a blazer that's purpose will be for running trails.
Given that, I'd like to build in the better/best modification's the first time around.

What's your good/better/best trail use modification's to date?

Big Bad 1972 Blazer · 02-16-2005, 05:02 PM

Kurt, Good to hear that you are building up a trial rig!! My best mod...by far, front & rear Detroit Lockers. Suspension travel is great, tires, HP, etc., etc.,etc., but with out a doubt getting all four tires to spin is the biggest improvement that I've noticed...whether going through thick mud, over rocks, whatever....locker will help you get to the end of the trail.

bouncytruck · 02-16-2005, 05:05 PM

What are your plans? Lift, tires, engine, axles, etc. Is it going to be street legal or just trail use?

vtblazer · 02-16-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

What are your plans? Lift, tires, engine, axles, etc. Is it going to be street legal or just trail use?

So far all I have for plans are:
3/4 ton axels - already have but don't know the ratio yet. (from a truck that had a 292/4spd)
4" spring lift - same as Greg72 is using - multiple 'thin' spring stack
Maybe a body lift (small)
Minimum 35" tires - Max 37's on 10"wide x15" or 16" wheels
Most likely some body panel trimming
350 w/TPI (end result) Headers
Linex'd tub
Full cage
Rear seat installed - (for my three kids)
New buckets from Corbeau w/5 point harness
Definetly street legal. (for now

)

That's it so far...

LUV2XCLR8 · 02-16-2005, 06:00 PM

MIGHT WANT TO PM THESE BOARD MEMBERS FOR IDEAS ALSO

K5 KRAZIE - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php3?u=5953

BURT4X4 - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php3?u=469

redz 1970 K5 · 02-16-2005, 06:09 PM

I know some guys do some shackle flips and interchange different years springs...

My buddies run a good information forum. www.Austink5.com . A few hardcore guys have their buildups on there and you can ask questions and get good answers.

Get a winch on there, hi lift jack, recovery points at each corner of the truck for starts.

bouncytruck · 02-16-2005, 06:44 PM

ColoradoK5.com had some good info on building "family" cages for K5's. I can't remember where exactly though.

I'd do more trimming rather than add a body lift.

vtblazer · 02-16-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

I'd do more trimming rather than add a body lift.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 02-16-2005, 11:26 PM

I would go lockers front and rear good cage winch and good recovery point's..
Heres a pic of my wheeler....

GMC71k20 · 02-17-2005, 12:00 AM

maybe add a winch too
or you could just make it look like this

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 02-17-2005, 12:01 AM

Thats the top truck challenge jimmy.

GMC71k20 · 02-17-2005, 12:10 AM

yes sir!

bouncytruck · 02-17-2005, 12:24 AM

That TTC J*mmy *s BAD A$$!

71jimmy · 02-17-2005, 03:55 AM

YEAH it's bad A$$!!!!! I got the video of the TTC, watch it over and over, can't get enough.

vtblazer · 02-17-2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMC71k20

or you could just make it look like this

Not in the budget

GMC71k20 · 02-17-2005, 09:33 PM

hopefully youll have a cool wad coming your way real soon...

vtblazer · 02-20-2005, 07:15 PM

Okay, I know there's more of those cool little mods out there.
Share with your online friends a little.

vtblazer · 03-23-2005, 07:52 PM

That's it? That's all there is? The best ya got?

Bringing it home soon and need to finish my shopping list.

Okay, any pics of trail purpose built trucks?

Let's go there.

blazerholic · 03-23-2005, 09:11 PM

Hey VT, don't forget to check out coloradok5's site. They're chock full o' trail upgrades! Only trail mods I have are dent's, cracked glass, scratches, etc...

MikeS · 03-23-2005, 10:20 PM

Things I would like to have if...

Big tough bumpers. Front with a winch mount, rear with spare tire and jerry can mounts.

ARB lockers for great off road and better on road behavior.

On board air compressor and storage tank. Make one out of an old air conditioning compressor.

BIG alternator to run that BIG winch.

Those would be on my wish list and maybe if I still lived in Colorado and went wheeling and camping every weekend I'd have them. All I've got on mine is the custom Colorado pinstriping from taking it off road a week after getting it painted.

Mike

orangeuavol · 03-23-2005, 10:26 PM

Gotta build a stump puller for it (low rpm torque monster).

vtblazer · 06-03-2005, 04:12 PM

After MUCH deliberation...

The focus has changed a small amount, not the final results just the method.

Ordered some stuff from ORD.
2" spring lift, front & rear
SX 8000 shocks
U-bolt flip kit
Zero rates
And a greasable kit for all suspension points.

Going with a more mild build than earlier described, due to this will also be my daily driver.

Final results: 1970 K5 Blazer - CST w/air (doesn't work)
2" spring lift w/33's and zero rates in the rear. New shocks
3/4 ton axels, stronger shackles and some old school 8 lug slotted mags.
Will be building a 'family' cage being this is very much for all of us.
Nice strong 350 w/auto tranny and either 4:56's or 4:11's
Not sure about the paint, maybe even a satin black primer.
Tilt, tunes and a 1/2 top sportin' a bimi.
Buckets and a rear seat for the three kids.

Should be fun, can't wait to "get-r-done"

**special-K** · 06-04-2005, 08:36 AM

How`bout some rocker "sliders"?Make some "cut-away" doors out of spares?5-point harnesses,especially for the keeds,thet`ll love them.

shortbed70 · 06-04-2005, 05:14 PM

I used to know a guy that had a yota like frenchblue
It had 44" swampers
exo-skeleton cage/no bed
dana somthing out front with hydraulic steering and high steer
dana 60 out back both axles fitted with 4.11 gears
Heres the kicker 2 transfer case for a reduction of 300:1
stock toyota 2.2 motor
stock 3/4 leafs modified to fit/2 less per pack
leaf spring sliders on rear springs for articulation
plans on adding twin sticks soon
Alot of the work was done by him and a friend and I haven't seen alot of things slow this truck down.
He bought the truck for 5000 years back and has a total of 20000 plus now. I wish I had pics of this thing its impressive.

vtblazer · 06-04-2005, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

How`bout some rocker "sliders"?

Yeah, their in the plans just forgot to mention them.
My 70 doesn't have anything for torsion boxes and I'm not concerned with the rockers so fabbing up some sliders is a sure thing.

Like the idea of 1/2 doors too.

02-16-2005, 03:40 PM	#1
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Trail Use - Blazer I'm building a blazer that's purpose will be for running trails. Given that, I'd like to build in the better/best modification's the first time around. What's your good/better/best trail use modification's to date?

02-16-2005, 05:05 PM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	What are your plans? Lift, tires, engine, axles, etc. Is it going to be street legal or just trail use? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

02-16-2005, 06:00 PM	#5
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,474	MIGHT WANT TO PM THESE BOARD MEMBERS FOR IDEAS ALSO K5 KRAZIE - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php3?u=5953 BURT4X4 - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php3?u=469 __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

02-16-2005, 06:09 PM	#6
redz 1970 K5 OBS guy Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,060	I know some guys do some shackle flips and interchange different years springs... My buddies run a good information forum. www.Austink5.com . A few hardcore guys have their buildups on there and you can ask questions and get good answers. Get a winch on there, hi lift jack, recovery points at each corner of the truck for starts. __________________ 88 Suburban Goodies- Alpine, Auto Meter, BDS, Bilstein, B&M, BFG, Borgeson, Bushwhacker, Cowl hood, Flowmaster, Genuine Gear, Holley, Infinity, JVC, K&N, MB Wheels, MSD, Pioneer, Skyjacker, Sony, Thorley, Walker + more

02-16-2005, 06:44 PM	#7
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	ColoradoK5.com had some good info on building "family" cages for K5's. I can't remember where exactly though. I'd do more trimming rather than add a body lift. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

02-16-2005, 05:02 PM	#2
Big Bad 1972 Blazer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Armada, MI 48188 Posts: 83	Kurt, Good to hear that you are building up a trial rig!! My best mod...by far, front & rear Detroit Lockers. Suspension travel is great, tires, HP, etc., etc.,etc., but with out a doubt getting all four tires to spin is the biggest improvement that I've noticed...whether going through thick mud, over rocks, whatever....locker will help you get to the end of the trail.

02-16-2005, 11:26 PM	#9
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	I would go lockers front and rear good cage winch and good recovery point's.. Heres a pic of my wheeler.... Attached Images __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

02-17-2005, 12:00 AM	#10
GMC71k20 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mass Posts: 1,277	maybe add a winch too or you could just make it look like this Attached Images

02-17-2005, 12:01 AM	#11
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	Thats the top truck challenge jimmy. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

02-17-2005, 12:10 AM	#12
GMC71k20 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mass Posts: 1,277	yes sir!

02-17-2005, 12:24 AM	#13
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	That TTC Jmmy s BAD A$$! __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

02-17-2005, 03:55 AM	#14
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,084	YEAH it's bad A$$!!!!! I got the video of the TTC, watch it over and over, can't get enough. __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

02-17-2005, 09:33 PM	#16
GMC71k20 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mass Posts: 1,277	hopefully youll have a cool wad coming your way real soon...

02-20-2005, 07:15 PM	#17
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	There's Gotta Be More Okay, I know there's more of those cool little mods out there. Share with your online friends a little.

03-23-2005, 07:52 PM	#18
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	That's it? That's all there is? The best ya got? Bringing it home soon and need to finish my shopping list. Okay, any pics of trail purpose built trucks? Let's go there.



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03-23-2005, 09:11 PM	#19
blazerholic I am a Gov't Mule Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Latonia,Ky Posts: 276	Hey VT, don't forget to check out coloradok5's site. They're chock full o' trail upgrades! Only trail mods I have are dent's, cracked glass, scratches, etc... __________________ ...to die in the saddle must be my destiny, to ride this rockin' horse I must be crazy...

03-23-2005, 10:20 PM	#20
MikeS Active Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 197	Things I would like to have if... Big tough bumpers. Front with a winch mount, rear with spare tire and jerry can mounts. ARB lockers for great off road and better on road behavior. On board air compressor and storage tank. Make one out of an old air conditioning compressor. BIG alternator to run that BIG winch. Those would be on my wish list and maybe if I still lived in Colorado and went wheeling and camping every weekend I'd have them. All I've got on mine is the custom Colorado pinstriping from taking it off road a week after getting it painted. Mike

03-23-2005, 10:26 PM	#21
orangeuavol GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 725	Gotta build a stump puller for it (low rpm torque monster). __________________ http://1972blazer.shutterfly.com/<= blazer build pics It's called golf because all the other four letter words were taken. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

06-03-2005, 04:12 PM	#22
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Some Changes After MUCH deliberation... The focus has changed a small amount, not the final results just the method. Ordered some stuff from ORD. 2" spring lift, front & rear SX 8000 shocks U-bolt flip kit Zero rates And a greasable kit for all suspension points. Going with a more mild build than earlier described, due to this will also be my daily driver. Final results: 1970 K5 Blazer - CST w/air (doesn't work) 2" spring lift w/33's and zero rates in the rear. New shocks 3/4 ton axels, stronger shackles and some old school 8 lug slotted mags. Will be building a 'family' cage being this is very much for all of us. Nice strong 350 w/auto tranny and either 4:56's or 4:11's Not sure about the paint, maybe even a satin black primer. Tilt, tunes and a 1/2 top sportin' a bimi. Buckets and a rear seat for the three kids. Should be fun, can't wait to "get-r-done"

06-04-2005, 08:36 AM	#23
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	How`bout some rocker "sliders"?Make some "cut-away" doors out of spares?5-point harnesses,especially for the keeds,thet`ll love them. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-04-2005, 05:14 PM	#24
shortbed70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Forney TX Posts: 4,512	I used to know a guy that had a yota like frenchblue It had 44" swampers exo-skeleton cage/no bed dana somthing out front with hydraulic steering and high steer dana 60 out back both axles fitted with 4.11 gears Heres the kicker 2 transfer case for a reduction of 300:1 stock toyota 2.2 motor stock 3/4 leafs modified to fit/2 less per pack leaf spring sliders on rear springs for articulation plans on adding twin sticks soon Alot of the work was done by him and a friend and I haven't seen alot of things slow this truck down. He bought the truck for 5000 years back and has a total of 20000 plus now. I wish I had pics of this thing its impressive. __________________ Troy 1965 Chevy Bagged,361 sbc,voodoo cam,1.5 full roller rockers,patriot 185cc vortec heads 2.02-1.60,vortec weiand polished intake,demon carb my truckhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332884 Big Red Dog build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=572274

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